Title IX Hearings

If you’ve received notice that your son or daughter is involved in a Title IX disciplinary hearing at their university, there are probably a million thoughts going through your head. You may know that your child is innocent and wonder how such a conviction might affect their future. Likewise, if you are the one facing the hearing yourself, you probably understand that a lot is at stake. Still, you should remember that the process you are facing is merely a hearing — you have not yet been found guilty. With the help of an experienced attorney, you can fight to defend your character and move on to a bright and prosperous future.

What Is Title IX?

According to the Amendments Act of 1972, Title IX is a federal law that states:

"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

While we can probably all agree that the original intention of Title IX was positive and beneficial to college campuses as a whole, revisions made in later years pose more of an issue. In 2011, specifically, the law was changed to say that students could be convicted of sexual assault violations under the preponderance of the evidence standard. This means that they can be convicted if they simply appear to be “more guilty than not.”

Caught Up in a Misunderstanding?

The 2011 revision came about after women’s advocacy groups pushed for allegations of rape and assault to be taken more seriously by school administrations. And while their intentions may have been good, in practice, the change has not always been so positive. Under these new guidelines, schools began to fear the fines and harsh punishments they would face if they failed to convict the accused. Thus, many male students began to be wrongfully convicted with little to no evidence.

The Policy Today

Though Title IX was recently reformed to eliminate the preponderance of the evidence standard, many universities may still be conditioned to follow the same erroneous process. Furthermore, when it’s his word against hers, schools tend to side with their female students. That is, however, unless you hire an experienced Title IX defense attorney.

Why You Need an Attorney

Though it’s wise to secure legal representation for any matter of criminal defense, it is especially necessary for Title IX disciplinary hearings. The odds in such hearings are stacked against you in a way that is not typical in a common court of law. You cannot combat this on your own, but I am here to be your advocate. Furthermore, under the new 2017 reform, justice is more accessible than it has been in years, and I’d love to help you move on from this traumatic experience under the new guidelines. Contact my office today to schedule your free case evaluation and learn more about the process.

Title IX Hearing Attorney in Fairfield and Athens Counties

Regardless of what has happened, I fight to ensure that one bad experience does not destroy your future. You’re still young, and you have so much to live for. We all make mistakes and get involved with the wrong people sometimes. I understand that, and I will not judge you or your story. Now is the time to move forward. Schedule your free case evaluation with me today.

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.